December/Christmas 2007 Update

Dear Friends and Family,

It has almost been a year since we arrived in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Thank you for your prayers and financial support that have made it possible for us to serve in this country.

We continue to praise God because Kurt is able to support Bible Translation providing computer support at the Communications and Technical Services Department. He really enjoys the work he does there. He also recently helped the Director’s Assistant to Personnel here in Ukarumpa by making a form that will allow all SIL PNG members to lodge a visa extension required for working in PNG during the next six months. His work was very much appreciated and allowed the task to be completed more efficiently.

The last week of November I (Johanna) was able to help input data into the applications for visa extensions (our team worked on about 800 applications). I helped in the mornings when Kassia was able to attend child care.

(Johanna helping with the visa extension paperwork. Can you see the baby?)

I finished my tutoring with a fifth grade student last Thursday. I have enjoyed helping her since July, but since it is almost time for us to go Australia I had my final morning of tutoring last week.

Kassia is very excited awaiting the birth of her baby brother or sister. I am 33 weeks pregnant now and my pregnancy is going very well, so we thank the Lord for that.

(Kassia posing for the camera)

We want to praise God because on Friday (December 7^th) we found out that our Australian Medical visas have been approved. This means that, Lord willing, we will be heading to Australia on December 19^th to await the birth of our second child. The policy of SIL PNG is that all members must return to their home country or go to Australia for any major medical reason because of the limited health care resources in PNG. For us it is much cheaper to go to Australia. Thanks to all of you who have been praying for our visas to be approved, your prayers have been answered. We arrive in Australia 5 weeks before the baby is due and as soon as the baby is born we will apply for his USA passport (which takes about 4 weeks to obtain). So, we are looking at being in Cairns, Australia for about 2 months.

(We celebrated Kassia’s 3^rd birthday early this year, last Saturday, so she could spend it with her friends. She will turn 3 in Australia on January 4^th.)

Praise

· We always praise God for our faithful prayer partners and those who support us financially.
· That our Australian Medical Visas have been granted and we can go to Australia to await the birth of our second child!
· That we have been much more healthy in the past two months.
· For the opportunity Kurt and I had to help in the process of the PNG visa extension for our SIL PNG branch.
· For a healthy pregnancy for me (Johanna).

Pray

· For our relationship with the Lord to become deeper and stronger and that we can be an example to our PNG friends and coworkers.
· For our marriage to grow stronger every day.
· For wisdom, love, and patience in raising Kassia.
· For our unborn baby to continue to grow strong and healthy in the last 6 weeks of the pregnancy.
· For a safe delivery and a healthy baby to be born in January.
· As we pack and move all our belongings to a storage shed while we are in Australia.

In His hands,
Johanna (for Kurt, Kassia, and baby Metzger)

Posted in: ministry update